Rock-tober Returns… Some Upcoming Show Hype & MP3z For Next Month

When I attended junior high school, our fave burn out music station called this month Rock-tober!

… and indeed, I will carry on in this noble tradition. That is despite the fact many of these events I’m listing might just qualify as Hip Hop, Folk, Reggae, Bluegrass or whatnot…

Yet no matter yer fave genre, I bet there’s some excuse for ya to turn off that darn screen and get yer badself down to a decent venue of yer choice and catch at least one of these fine autumnal shows…

Amongst the details are dates and venues for acts like Bert Jansch, Mickey Avalon, Lily Allen, Pogues, Sufjan Stevens, The Twilight Singers and many more.

If ya don’t like the hella harvest season hubub I’ve got listed here, I’ve provided a link to a new opt in web service that will automatically scan yer mp3 collection on yer hard drive and start sending ya free & quite handy personalized updates on the particular performers & music that even you actually might like…

Don’t say we never did nothing for ya… So here’s how you can easy fa sheezy just keep rawkin in the free world ( plus obligatory service charge & handling fees)
What would the start of a Rocktoberfest preview be without beer? Well, how about Mickey’s Big Mouth ? If that counts, you might wanna check out this showcase at Club 6 on Weds Oct 4th featuring white trash Beverly Hills gigolo of the moment Mickey Avalon, plus local electro-disco babes Von Iva, and apparently is co-presented by Mickey’s Big Mouth. In fact , despite it’s sorta low brow appeal, t’s also a sorta semi-private guest list only affair… sheesh!

Here’s a sample track from Mickey Avalon’s new release…

Mickey Avalon

The Mickey Avalon gig is supposedly a release party for BPM Magazine, but through the magic of journalistic and behind the bar scene blogger manipulations …. I’ve arranged a link for you to get on the pest list… hurry up and get going cuz, it’s filling quick…so if yer 21+, and ya know how to RSVP
get on the top secret party vip list : click here

On Thursday October 5th
Southern swamprock songwriter Tony Joe White comes to the city and shares his soulful sharecropper style wisdom…plus you gotta love that deep voice. Over 25 artists had hits with Tony’s songs ranging fromTim McGraw to Tina Turner. Brook Benton hit big with “Rainy Night in Georgia” and Tony wrote one of Elvis’ better tunes of his ’70 comeback era “Polk Salad Annie”.

Here’s an old clip from a new DVD on New West of Tony back in the 70’s, shucking and jiving on Austin City Limits doing his song “Roosevelt and Ira Lee”

Tony Joe White’s opening act is Hey Negrita , making for a goodtime and a rare chance to catch a downhome legend, showtime at 9pm at Cafe du Nord.

On Friday October 6th, with the Audio Engineers Society convention in town, The Warfield hosts an evening entitled boldly “An All-Star Tribute to San Francisco Music, Past and Future,” supposedly celebrating San Francisco’s rich history and fertile future as a world center of creativity and popular music. Not only will there be a special performance by thelegendary Dave Brubeck Quartet, but a cover band featuring a limo-load of corporate rock hero dudes as well…yes, it’s the return of Camp Freddy. Imagine Me First & The Gimme Gimmes but with more hair gel, agents and entourages. They’ll likely be celebrating the inclusion of of their Cheap Trick cover tune on the soundtrack to the Lions Gate flick, Employee Of The Month.

So if you wanna see Scott Weiland singing ‘Roadhouse Blues,’ with the Doors’ Robby Krieger , maybe if you b.s your way in via the folks down at The Recording Academy or make a donation to MusicCares you might get a seat ( sanfrancisco@grammy.com (or call at 415-749-0779)

Starting Mon Oct 9 through Thurs the 12th The Fillmore Auditorium will be drunken yob central as legendary drinking band The Pogues hold down the fort for four whiskey soaked nights. If any are still left, Tickets are $65 each ! and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to navigate to a spot at the bar or near the stage, or that Shane MacGowan can still sing intelligiably. But then again the audience knows all the words anyway. It’ll still be an experience…

I’d go into greater detail… but this is a long sodden tale and will require a post of it’s own…

Tuesday Oct 10th
Hipsters head over to Zellerbach Hall on UC Berkeley’s campus for a Back To School night with the always educational, as well as entertaining indie sensation known as Sufjan Stevens. Mr. Stevens, a verifiable media darling with an expansive presskit to match his repertoire has embarked on a prodigious & prolific musical mission that sees him composing songs about several states and folks like Saul Bellow, Ann Landers and Adlai Stevenson. Study before you go, as there will undoubtedly be a quirky quiz later.

Wednesday Oct 11th

At the Hemlock Tavern on this fine eve, something known as The Degenerate Art Ensemble is in town from Portland Oregon. Drop ten bones to creep into the backroom and experience a skitzo performance art event that is like a punk/jazz band filtered through a kabuki butoh lens…but not.Degenerate Art Ensemble – Dreams From Wounded Mouth

Meanwhile a few blocks down the hill at the Rickshaw Stop on the edge of hayes valley, Y’all can catch son of a gun Bobby Bare Jr, with support from Tom Heyman.

Bare Jr has been playing around, attempting to break out of his fathers long 70’s era Nashville shadows, but that can be hard when your name is after all Bobby Bare Jr. Heyman, our local rep on this bill, is growing in acclaim all on his own, and has been fronting his own forthright combo for a few years now. Tom has done time in Philly band Go To Blazes and backing up folks like Jesse DeNatale, Paula Frazer, John Vanderslice, David Dondero, Rockin’ Lloyd Tripp , Marah, the Court and Spark, Alejandro Escovedo and lately Chuck Prophet now also has a fine new album out on with his own group , featuring Dan Carr on bass, Dan Eisenberg on organ and Chris Sipe on drums. Tom can often be found checking ID’s at your local Makeout Room, and has an affinity for high school musicals and apparently loves him some good ol rock literature. Go chat him up…

this sample mp3 track is inspired by the sad death of former Temptations lad singer David Ruffin in a Philly crackhouse…

and the next one here his a tale of boozin’ and beyondTom Heyman – Monkey Out Of Me

Y’all Can Catch Mr. Heyman in action live and then if ya like the free stuff, at the gig ya can go buy that newly released album out on local label Jackpine Social Club that’s chock full of good, solid if a bit mournful “Americana” tunes…

on Thurs Oct 12

Always hip to what’s hot in UK pop, Popscene presents the latest and most adorable brit rap sensation Ms. Lily Allen. Her bubbly hiccupped and danceable lil’ ditties have been notable musical highlights throughout the summer of 2006, at least on my I-Pod. Check out what I assue to be her SF debut and see what the hub bub is about.
This all goes down at 330 Ritch sometime after 10:00 pm

Whoa ! Friday The 13th !

A plethora of quality shows make this superstitious day one to get over it and venture forth & remember fer years (or at least a few beers) to come…

Alcoholocaust presents the creepy & aged Grannies for their new record release party. They’ll joined by Fabulous Disaster, who can do the creepy punk rock lady gag, but will just need less makeup… all this going down @ Annie’s Social Club on Folsom @ 5th Street

5! 6! 7! that’s the formula for beat mix heaven, …yes yes y’all, all ya hella hip hop heads will wanna thrown down $5 at Club 6 for True Skool’s 7-Year Anniversary Throwdown. Not only will the True-Skool DJ’s like Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist, Sake 1 and J-Boogie be in the hizzo but their will be special guests too. We’re talkin folks like DJ Daze from NYC and Davey D of KPFA’s Hard Knock Radio.On the Live performance front, you’ll get some of the Bay Area’s finest including Felonious, Crown City Rockers and former Spearhead MC/Beatboxer Radioactive…
All this is going down on Friday The 13th @ 60-6th St. (btwn. Mission & Market), til -3am, but get there before before 10:30pm for the discounted $5 cover charge. Info: True-Skool.org

Easy Star All-Stars “Radiodread Tour” hits Slims on Friday The 13th. The venerable no frills rock wherehouse on 11th St in SOMA hosts one of the most unlikely tribute bands to ever come down the pipe. Hey, just leave it to heavy ganja pipe smokers, and voila , look what comes down the pipe!

So If you thought Dread Zeppelin was a ridiculous combo, well now Radiohead has their own reggae/dub tribute act on the road as well.

Easy All Stars – Radiodread

Stream The Album Here & If Ya Dig it Catch Em live. Live the All Stars include producer Michael Goldwasser on guitar, plus a cast of rotating members like bassist/vocalist Ras Iray, trombonist Buford O’Sullivan, Tamar-Ali on vox, saxophonist/ flautist Jenny Hill, DJ Menny More and several other vets of the NY Dub & reggae scene.

Nashville Pussy and Priestess
both will be tearing it up at the Independent on Divisidero. I won’t go into great detail, figuring if you are not a Nashville Pussy fan by now, when will it ever happen for you…

These cats are known for their “skills” on the turntables, and will likely spin a grin onto yer face when they get going… Serious scratching that’ll make ya itch starts circa 9:00 PM

Friday October 20th

Lovers of quality garge rock in the Michigan Mode ( think MC5, White Stripes, Dirtbombs etc ) may not want to pass up on The Detroit Cobras with King Khan & BBQ Show. This rari-fried happening occurs at the Bottom of the Hill and will get ya properly annointed with some gritty old school style rock n roll… The Detroit Cobras specialize in a Motown enfused blend of raw rock fury featuring the melodic female vocals of . They used to only do old school covers, but have started doing their own stuff & are faves of Little Steven’s Underground Garage Radio Show.
In the tradition of Doo Rag, Jonathan Richman, White Stripes, or Mojo Nixon, openers the King Khan & BBQ Show are a two man group, with personality plus, that can sound like a rocking 5 piece…

Cut Chemist & Lyrics Born will rock the Independent for the 2nd of 2 Big Nights!
opening up will be Quanuum recording artist Pigeon John. You might be familiar with Cut Chemist, whose previously been a member of Jurrasic 5 and Ozomatli…The Bay Area’s own Lyrics Born is one of the only asian rappers to make serious headway in the game. Buy y’all might wanna get there early to check out the skills of the upcoming Pigeon John…

Pigeon John & The Summertime Pool Party

On Tues October 24th, The Twilight Singers featuring Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan take the stage at the old bordello on O’Farrell known as The Great American Music Hall… Gruff bluesy vocalist Mark Lanegan won some hard earned kudos first on the road for nearly a decade with with the late great Screaming Trees before venturing into a solo career on Sub Pop and even doing some time with Queens Of The Stoneage. Now he joins former Afhan Whig frontman Greg Dulli for a double dose of musical adventure.

The Great American Music Hall keeps up with it’s reputation as one of the finest venues in town with a bunch more great events in late October. Notable towards the end of the month are appearances from U.K folk legend Bert Jansch on the 25th and two shows later on from the esoteric folkster Bonnie Prince Billy including Halloween…

Thursday The 26th & Friday The 27th
Sunset Promotions know how to throw a party and that’s why they must’ve tapped the city of New Orleans for their next event. They’ve been keeping tabs on the pretty much legendary local NOLA act Rebirth Brass Band, and they roll into town for two nights at The Independent on Divisidero this weekend…

One of my first live intros to the vivacious & irresistible sounds of modern urban New Orleans was accientally catching this act on New Years Eve 1990-91 at The Paradise Lounge lounge South of Market in SF where they bounced around after opening up for the Grateful Dead across the Bay… I’ve caught em several times since, at the North Beach Jazz Festival on down to a few times at their weekly stomping grounds of The Mapleleaf Bar in New Orleans…

The Rebirth Brass Band are feisty, funky, and everything ya want in a live act… this mp3 posted below captures some of that infectious energy …

If ya wanna hear how their drummer Derrick managed to survive the aftermath of Katrina, appropriated 5 cars & vans to transport his neighbors, family and other survivors to safety, head over to CityPages.com

anyhow… those are just a few live music ideas to keep ya busy in the coming month…

If you want your own personal concert wishlist set up I suggest ya go to SonicLiving.com which is the only “social networking” site I’ve ever received any useful info from… check it out…

Ya can let it scan your mp3 folders & it will set your preferences for what concerts you might wanna hear about… pretty cool & you tube videos & ticket links are right there…